MST-CAN explained for families
Information about MST-CAN for parents and carers
What is MST-CAN?
Multisystemic Therapy for Child Abuse and Neglect (MST-CAN) works with families to keep children at home with increased safety .
We know that these can be very difficult times for families, so MST works to support parents, carers and other family members. Together you and your therapist find ways to make the situation better and improve the young person's chances for a better future.
How does it work?
MST-CAN teams deliver the programme in your home, at flexible times, and offer a 24/7 on call service to help you manage crises that happen after hours. The Therapist will usually visit you 3 times per week, and the intervention lasts for 6 to 9 months.
Teams focus on providing treatment to the whole family, with special attention given to parents to overcome some of the challenges they face to parenting. It is very common for parents in MST-CAN programmes to have experienced a traumatic event and treatment is provided to help overcome the impact of trauma.
A great deal of safety planning is included in addition to treatment for anger management difficulties, parental or youth substance abuse, and family problem solving and communication problems.
Why is it called Multisystemic Therapy (MST)?
MST teams focus on understanding the whole world of children and young people - their homes and families, schools and teachers, neighbourhoods and friends.
